The sound of the door opening brought her from her reverie. Carley wasn't surprised when Stalling walked in followed by Finton, Wade and Richards.

"You're keeping late hours," she said, making eye contact with Stalling.

"One of the downsides of being a CEO. I hope they've made you comfortable, Dr. Branson."

Looking around the room, Carley snickered.

"Oh yeah, a regular penthouse."

"I see you've managed to retain your humor. That's good!"

"Meaning I'll need it?"

"Now, now, doctor. You certainly seem to have a low opinion of me. I appreciate a good sense of humor. Unfortunately, I'm here about more pressing matters. It seems the Hubot is missing from your lab. Perhaps you could tell me where it is?"

Carley tried to look surprised but suspected she had failed miserably.

"Missing? It was secured in the vault when I left. Maybe one of my replacements removed it. You did say someone was taking over."

"Please, doctor. Let's not play games. You lose your I.D. the same day the Hubot disappears? I'm not that gullible. What happened to it?"

"Really, Mr. Stalling, I don't know what you're talking about."

"So it's going to be that way. Alright, Carley, let me make it clear to you. I want the Hubot back and the name or names of whoever helped you get it past security. Do that and you can go home... without a job, of course."

"Of course," Carley smirked. "Well, I'm sorry but I really don't know anything about where she... it is. The Hubot has to be somewhere on the premises. h.e.l.l, the guards know me and I can't even get out of here now because of my missing pa.s.s. How could I or anyone else sneak it out?"

"We've checked the entire site. None of the scanners has picked up its signal."

"Signal? I wasn't aware the Hubot carried a transmitter."

"It wasn't important that you know."

"I see."

Arrogant b.a.s.t.a.r.d! Like I wouldn't find the subprogram! You pride yourself on hiring the very best in their field and then think you can do better.

"No, I don't think you do. We will get it back... no matter what it takes. It would be in your best interest to cooperate. Otherwise..."

"Otherwise, you'll beat it out of me?"

Carley swallowed nervously. Should she use the gum now or wait?

"Please, Doctor. We're not brutes. Just tell us what you know and we'll send you on your way."

Yeah, right to a grave!

"Look, Mr. Stalling. I'm just an AI expert. I don't know anything about the missing Hubot. What would I have to gain?"

"From selling it to the compet.i.tion? Millions. Maybe more. I'm sure you know that. I'm sorry. It looks like you're leaving me no choice but to use less desirable methods to get the information. I had hoped you'd be more cooperative."

Turning to Richards, Stalling nodded his head once. After the man left the room, he turned back to Carley.

"You might as well make yourself comfortable until Richards returns with Dr. Phillips."

"Phillips? That nut?"

Stalling smiled.

"A nut maybe but he's a genius when it comes to combining truth enhancement drugs with physical discomfort."

"You mean torture."

Stalling shrugged.

"Call it whatever you want. You still have time to be reasonable."

"I've told you I don't know anything. Phillips' skills won't change that."

"Then I will truly regret having made that mistake, Dr. Branson. You're good at what you do."

"Well, that's comforting," she replied sarcastically.

Carley knew the moment had arrived. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out the stick of gum. Stalling glanced at it disinterestedly.

"Would you like some gum?" she asked, holding it out to him. "I've got another piece somewhere."

"No thanks. It's a habit I never developed."

d.a.m.n! Carley thought. The idea of taking him down with her was appealing.

"I'd like one," Wade said, stepping forward, glancing at Stalling for permission.

"I don't think you do!" Stalling replied, frowning.

Carley's heart skipped a beat.

He knows!

"The last thing I need is you sticking it under some table or desk. The janitors are b.i.t.c.hing enough about cleaning that c.r.a.p off."

Carley felt laughter bubbling up and coughed to keep it contained. Unwrapping the foil from around the stick, she folded it into a small roll and slowly raised it to her mouth.

"You know, Stalling," she said, chewing it slowly, surprised that the taste of the cyanide wasn't noticeable. d.a.m.n, Solaria, you're good! "You really need to lighten up. It's not healthy to be so serious all the time."

"My health is fine."

Carley felt slightly dizzy. The tightening in her chest made it hard to breathe.

"That's a shame," she replied, slightly breathless. Stalling looked at her, surprised by the comment. "Enjoy... enj..."

It was difficult for her to focus on the CEO.

Realizing something was seriously wrong, Stalling pointed at Carley as she slumped sideways on the bed.

"She's taken something!" he screamed. "The gum! Get the f.u.c.king gum out of her mouth!"

Finton lunged forward and pulled down on Carley's jaw. Shoving his finger in, he tried to locate it.

"It's not there! She's swallowed the d.a.m.n thing."

"Get Phillips in here, now!"

As if his words had conjured up the scientist, Nick Phillips pushed open the door and stepped inside. Grabbing his arm, Stalling shoved him toward the woman lying on the bed.

"She's poisoned herself. Do something!"

Phillips leaned over and checked her neck for a pulse. Pulling open her eyelids, he shook his head.

"Nothing I can do. Whatever it was, she's dead! A shame. I was looking forward to testing my newest drug."

Furious, Stalling glared at the mousy looking man.

"Get out!" he shouted. "All of you get out and get her out of here. I want to know what she took."

Ward and Richards picked Carley up and carried her down the hall pa.s.sing the receptionist. Other than a slight widening of the eyes, Ms. Colton stoically returned to her computer.

I need to find another job! she thought knowing it was impossible to leave Future Dynamicon. She knew too much about Finton and his dealings. The best she could hope for was that the chief security officer appreciated her loyalty enough to let her retire when the time was right; if there was such a thing as retirement.

CHAPTER 10.

Month Nine SOLARIA STUDIED the schematics closely and memorized each one before activating a virus that would destroy the hard drive on the other end holding the data. Worms and Trojans were sent in search of backup copies that might be hidden within the Company's network. She had discovered identification markers referencing external copies and created a sleeper virus that would be activated if the disks were inserted into any computer connected to Future Dynamicon's network system. Considering the Company had ties to about every communication system on and off the planet, it was only a matter of time before someone decided to upload the information onto a computer, if for no other reason than to repair the destroyed files. Once all the copies were destroyed there would be no record of Carley's work and no way to replicate Solaria. More importantly, it would take decades before anyone would be able to re-create another Hubot.

Future Dynamicon had segmented the Hubot project by establishing labs around the world to work on each stage of development. No two labs worked on the same phase and no two scientists from separate labs were allowed to come in contact with each other. It was a failsafe system with one exception... Carley Branson. As the AI expert, she designed the initial software that activated the multiple nano-processors. It was her tweaking and working on the glitches that prevented serious crashes and it was her mentoring that allowed Solaria to grow and mature until she developed her own awareness. Once Future Dynamicon had discovered Solaria's escape, it wasn't difficult to figure out who had a.s.sisted her.

Carley's suicide was front page news the day after Solaria walked away from the Company. When Stalling held the press conference he portrayed the distraught employer and friend perfectly. A great loss to the Company and a personal loss to him, he had said. He could only speculate that she must have suffered from depression over the failure of her latest experiment. Carley Branson was devoted to her work and didn't take failure lightly. She would be missed he added before stepping away from the microphone and disappearing behind the semi-opaque doors of the main building.

Solaria put down the newspaper. Her eyes felt slightly watery. Reaching up, she touched her right one lightly then looked at her finger.

You knew it would end this way! she thought. We both knew. It was the logical conclusion. I'll keep my promise, Carley. I'll find the Hubot and any others that might exist.

Solaria spent the next week searching for a place to stay. The house she found wasn't fancy but it suited her purpose. Slightly isolated from the neighbors, it belonged to an elderly woman who had decided to move closer to her children. She was more than happy to rent it to the handsome woman with the teal eyes, especially since the rent was paid a year in advance. It provided her enough to pay the movers and relocation expenses not to mention give her some money to find a small apartment. A week after the lease was signed Mrs. Quinley was packed and gone.

Solaria wasn't sure how to properly furnish her new home. She had seen pictures on the Internet, but had no real concept of interior design. Before leaving, the owner gave her the name of a woman who could help her pick out the things she needed. Two weeks later she was ready to take on the Company in order to keep her promise to Carley.

Not wanting to chance Future Dynamicon tracing her hacks into their network back to her home, she decided to use public network access. Internet cafes were the most logical choice but she discarded the idea of using one because of the amount of time she would have to spend on their computer. At some point, someone was bound to notice her and wonder what she was doing. The alternative was a public library which suited her more. Libraries were quiet and on the verge of becoming obsolete since computers were readily accessible to about everyone and most books were now available for downloading at a nominal fee. Only the most hardcore book lovers went there to read or study.

Fortunately, one of the largest remaining libraries was only a short drive from Solaria's new home.

CHAPTER 11.

Jain Plaine THE MIRROR HAD never been kind to her, but then again neither had nature or life. Being short was bad enough although she could probably have overcome that stigma. Even the excess weight she carried wasn't insurmountable if she would just make an effort to get into shape. If only that was the extent of her genetic misfortunes. Sadly, it was just the beginning. Her entire youth had been spent listening to the cruel whispers of her school colleagues. Most were too cowardly, or maybe kind, to say anything to her face but others took malicious joy in making sure she knew what they thought. Her mom tried her best to ease the pain by telling her to just ignore her tormentors. How do you ignore people who call you Horse Face, Plain Jain or Miss Piggy? It was true she had an unfortunate face but so did many others. Life just wasn't fair, she'd grumble to her mother. That was a long time ago.

Sighing, Jain stuck out her tongue at her image and then laughed.

"That doesn't help," she said, poking her finger at the image staring back from the mirror. "You need to get a life."

Twinkling brown eyes stared back at her. Jain smiled, showing almost perfect white teeth.

"At least no one can say anything about these ivories," she continued, tapping her finger on the image in the mirror. Her reflection nodded her head in agreement. Winking at her agreeable companion, Jain grabbed her sweater and headed out the door for work. She was due at the library in twenty minutes.

Contrary to popular belief, being a librarian wasn't a boring job; at least not to her. It was amazing the diversity of people that frequented the place. Even when the library was empty, Jain could pick out a book and travel anywhere in the world, or outside of it, she wanted. On a really good day, she would see someone that was especially interesting and create her own little story or fantasy. Just yesterday, she noticed a tall, red-haired woman studying several recent scientific journals pertaining to the latest developments in bio-mechanics. Had Jain not noticed the t.i.tles, she would have thought the woman was more the model type instead of a brain. Still, discovering she was highly intelligent didn't stop the librarian from creating her own little fantasy about the stranger.

Watching the woman walking slowly toward her, the librarian held her breath hoping not to be noticed; at least that's what she told herself. The truth be known, she felt her heart skip a beat in antic.i.p.ation of at least making eye contact with the tall crimson-haired beauty. "Drop dead gorgeous" wasn't just a cliche. It was definitely a reality if what she was seeing was any indication. Between the heart palpitations and a slight difficulty in breathing. Jain was sure she was about to pa.s.s out in front of the woman.

Maybe she'll give me mouth-to-mouth! I'd just die if she did.

As if reading her mind, the woman slowed down, looked directly at her and winked. Almost on queue, Jain fainted.

The sensation of lips meeting hers and warm air filling her lungs brought Jain back to consciousness. Opening her eyes, she stared into the palest blue eyes she had ever seen; and the smile? Perfectly even white teeth, two dimples on each side of beautifully formed lips were to die for.

"Hey, are you okay?" a deep, husky voice asked.

"Uh... yeah," Jain croaked. "I think."

"What happened?"

"I don't know!"